Device for measuring the lubricating value of oil



Marc 2h 29, 1927. 1,622,481 I J. B. ANNIS DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE LUBRIQATING VALUE OF OIL Filed Aug.3, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 17 INVENTOR.

LTa mas BAnnis March 29 1927. J. B. ANNIS I DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE LUBRICATI-NG VALUE OF OIL Filed Aug.:5, 1925 2 Sheets-Shasta innie.

Passed Mai. 29, 1927. I

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Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of an in--- ternalcombustlon engine showing the rela- UNITED STATES JAMES B. ANNIS, OI KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

DEVICE FOR museums run LUBRICATING VALUE or on.

Application filed August 3, 1825. Serial No. 47,858.

This inivention relatesto a device for.

measuring the lubricating value of oil or other lubricant commonly used in engines of various types. v

' 'It is realized that the device contemplated by this invention may be adapted to various uses, and applied to machines of wide and various kinds to determine the lubricating value of the oil being used in the lubricat ing system to supply the bearings and other friction surfaces.

The. primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device which may be easily attached to any engine, machine or motor to indicate the lubricating value of the oil being used therein.

It is stressed at this time that this device may be made a permanent part of the engine, or may be use as a separate accessory or piece of equipment. In the event the same is made a part of the equipment carried by the automobile, the indicator, which is also contemplated by this inventionmay be car-.

ried on the instrument board and adapted to cut off the ignition circuit when the oil becomes bad enough to endanger the mechanism of the internal combustion engine.

Man} minor objects of this invention dealing with the points of construction will be pointed out in the detailed specification re- -ferring to the accompanying drawings,

which illustrate the preferred and one modified form of the invention. In-the drawtive position of the device and indiE-ator when used 1n an automob les Fig. 2 1s a broken face new of the indicator.

tion of the measuring device taken on line' IVIV of Fig. 1. 1

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical central section of the device taken on line V- V' of Fig. 4. Fig; 6 is aside elevation of the'device with a portion of the housing broken away.

-Fig. 7 is another vcrtical' cross section taken on line VII-VI'I' of Fig. 5.

i Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe shaft and cam surface, showing it entirely rei .moved from the rest. of the device.

Fig. 9-is'. a vertical central cross section 11 is rotated by the particular part, and it.

is desired to make clear the fact that any motive power may be used to rotate shaft 11,

but Where the device is made a part of an engine, motor or'the like, the oil of whic is to be usedand measured, it should be made 1 part thereof and interposed in,the oil line so that'the measuring device is the last bearing the oil passes through before returningto the reservoir or oil pump. ..A housing 14.- encases a portion of shaft 11, which may be enlarged as shown to provide a greater friction surface, and an oil inlet and outlet 15 and 16 respective] supof the device ply and carry off the lubricating e ement v tobe measured. The housing should be split in' the well-known manner to afford easy assembling'and proper gaskets and Y stalling boxes, not here shown, provided to prevent the escape of the oil.

When the oil has entered housin 14, it reaches the friction surface formed between shaft'll and a shaft engaging member 17, which is loosely though snugly mounted thereon and. through its lubricating properties, permits shaft 11 to. rotate therein without turning member 17.

Member '17 is yicldably stabilized by any resilient means such as springs 18 which connect the same to housing 14. These springs 18 should be diametrically opposite, and four or more should be used. n the event the lubricating value of the oil is not high,

it will be seen that the shaft 11 will have a tendency -to grab or cause member 17 to rotate therewith. When this action takes place,'the springs 18 yield and permit member 17 to carry acam 19, which may be formed integrally therewith, around and upwardly to engage a roller 20. This roller 20 ispivotally mounted and carried b the free ends of a yoke 21 on a line paralle with the axis of shaft 11. Yoke 21 is, in turn rigidly lying the primary circuit will gine to be run.

' knowledge 'a condition dangerous the cam, and as the roller rides thereover,

shaft 22 is rotated to turn a flexible chain 24, which is operatively connected to pointer 25 of the indicator 26,

In some instances, the cam size may'requirethe use of a train of gears'27 which will serve to step up the distance traveled by shaft 22. This will insure the proper movement of. pointer 25.

In the preferred form, the guide to prevent end play, consists of a series of diametrically opposite rollers 28' in engagement with an annular groove 29, while in the modified form, the'same means consists of inwardly turned flanges 30, integral with member 17.

When cam 19 raises roller 20 almost to the highest point on its surface, pointer 25 will indicate change oil. If the driver disregards this-warning, switch 31 will be opened by pin 32, carried by pointer 25 when roller 20 moves to the extreme highestpoint on cam 19, and the current supbe cutoil.

his action will stop the engine. -A switch 33 is supplied, however, which may be closed by the driver to again allow the en- This warning and action driver of the engine definite that he' is using oil that is in and harmful-to his gives the motor.

, shaft 'engag It is understood that many changes and modifications may be made in the construe-- tion of. this invention without departing front the spirit thereof. It is desired to be limited, therefore, only by the scope Grate ap ended claims. at I claim is':

' 2. A device for measuring-the lubricat ing value of oil comprising a' housing, a

I rotatable shaft therein, a shaft engaging 1. A device for measuring the lubricating:

member within saidhousing, an indicating device, means for operating said indicating device and including means formed on said shaft engaging, member and means connecting said s a engaging member to said housing for yieldably stabilizing the same.

3. A device for measuring the lubricating value of oil comprisin a housing, a rotatable shaftpassing therefii'rough, a shaft engaging member within said housing adapted to be actuated by said shaft when the same is rotated, yieldable'stabilizers for said member carried b saidhousing Within the same, an indicatlng device and means for operating said indicating-device and including means formed on said shaft engaging member operable when the same is actuated by the shaft.

4. A device for measuring the lubricating value of oil comprising a housing, a rotatable shaft passing therethrough, a shaft engaging member within said housing, yieldable stabilizers for said members carried by said housin within the same, a visible indicator and means including a cooperating cam surface and cam engaging member operably interconnecting said shaft engaging member and said indicator. 5. A device for measuring the lubricating value of oil comprising a housing, a rotatable shaft therethrough, a shaft engaging member having a projectin cam surface within. said housing, yieldaIfle stabilizers for said, member carried by said housing within the same, an indicator and an indicator actuatingrmeans having a camsurface engagin member within said housing.

6. A evice for measuring the lubricating value of'oil comprisin a housing, a'rotatable shaft therein, a slaft engaging member within said housing, yieldable stabilizers for. said member carried within said housing, an indicator, guide means for said shaft engaging member'adjacent eachend thereof adapted to rmit the member to move around said rotatable shaft and prevent its movement longitudinally thereof, a cam on.

said shaft engaging member and an indicator actuating means having an arm movable to indicate displacement of the shaft engaging member and operatively en aging the cam on said shaft en aging mm er.

In testimony whereof hereunto aflix my signature this 1st day of August, 1925.

JAMES B. ANNIS. 

